The tower, built from local limestone, stands 39 metres high from ground level and 56 metres above sea level.

The tower has seven floors and 186 steps that keepers had to go up at least four times a day before the lighthouse was automated in September 1992.

The light was one of the last manually operated in the world, until 1982 when it was converted to electricity, replacing the clockwork mechanism and kerosene burner.

Its piercing beam is as intense as one million candles and can be seen for 26 nautical miles or 48 kilometres.

The surrounds of the Leeuwin lighthouse are as fascinating and popular as the lighthouse itself. One particular attraction is the cape to cape track.

The track runs for 135 kilometres along the Leeuwin Naturaliste ridge, between the Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lighthouses.

It features spectacular coastal and forest scenery, a fascinating geology and history and beautiful wildflowers in spring.

In this podtour you will hear the stories of the haunted lighthouse keeper's cottage, the caretaker who wore shorts every day for six years and one of the most famous shipwrecks the South West coast has seen.

Your guide is Paul Sofilas, the Lighthouse Caretaker and Tours Supervisor. He has worked at the lighthouse for 12 years and lived on site for 10.